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Saturday, 12 August 2017

Write - Edit - Publish Bloghop: Reunion ...

When you read this entry ... please look at the sculpture "The Reunion" pictured at the end of the post ... that is where my idea for this article started ...Lost … blasted away … the love of her life denoted ‘as
missing’ – how can someone be ‘missing’, yet that is the way of things in war.

Abysmal loss – desolation to the mind – the suddenness – the
heart that is

... broken … broken ……

Theirs had been a wonderful love – the brother of a school
friend … a loving family to become a part of … happiness at last for her …

Her parents-in-law losing their son – her father-in-law’s
practicality to know – though they knew the risks all servicemen take, they
understood those times.

The wife too … the woman who had had only a few years and most
of those days separated by deployment overseas.

She kept away – mostly … could not write – too overcome with
grief, yet so many others in a similar situation … in times of War one
continues on.

The necessary information was gleaned … but suppressed until
there was a need to know and understand … though it appears he had been taken
with a direct hit.

A search was made … very little found – desperately a pair
of black ammunition boots … badly charred … no identity discs … blown to smithereens
– literally.

Words on paper, details in the records, a note of where the
attack happened, with map co-ordinates.

A life - gone in a trice … a courageous man, a man who
commanded respect and love of his men – this recorded by his subordinate … the whole
unit genuinely grieved.

She could do nothing … a few visits to her in-laws to be able
to find out more information – if she wanted it … but for now she didn’t – she
needed to continue to serve and to be there for other service men, as well as
her own unit.

The Reunion - as it was originally called by the sculptress -
Josefina de Vasconcellos (Coventry Cathedral)

They had all agreed that his remains would be buried on site –
this they felt was the only place for him to be – later she could go to find the
place …

… and kneel in the dirt as she remembered him, had always
remembered him … she could feel him kneeling with her, his arms half out
welcoming her own, the lie of his head taking her now still grieving bones …
she remembered back when they were together in life …

Her time is near … now she will be reunited with her love …
kneel on, kneel on in grasping grief as her life ticks away … not long now
before the dust and soil of our earth has her too.

Kneel on … kneel on … in the Reunion that surely follows our
earthly existence.

Thank you for considering the "The Reunion" sculpture as you read this post.

Beautiful post. One of my aunts on my father's side painted an amazing, very large painting, of people stood at the station waiting for their army sons and fathers to return from war. Some of the crowd were crying some smiling it was quite incredible and although I only saw it when I was about 7 or 8 it sticks in my mind. When she died the house was left to my father, but the painting had gone missing has had a small miniature that she had painted of and aunt that looked very like me. My parents were very sad as out of everything that was left to them, the only two things that had any meaning had gone missing never to be tracked down. Have a good weekend Diane

Beautifully written. This lovely piece of art sums up how, not only when war separates us from those we love but also as we age, we have renewed hope of seeing our loved ones once more...eternal and everlasting time together. But still the tears must fall until then~

@ EC –many thanks … yes you’re right about too many left in this dreadful position … this reunion being the only way for them …

@ Marja – it felt emotional as I wrote it … the sculpture just sort of brought the ideas out … war is horrific

@ Diane – oh gosh how terrible to find the two art works they would have loved to have inherited had disappeared. The paintings sound extraordinary … and the concept must have resonated so deeply with your aunt to be able to paint such a realistic, large painting – it would have been so interesting to you to have more of that provenance of those two works.

So sad also that you didn’t know about your aunt’s aunt and found out more about her family and the likeness to you … I can quite see why your parents were desolate about not finding the paintings at the time of the house being left to them. I can empathise …

@ Joanne – I appreciate your words … that kind of loss must be so desperate for anyone to have to live through … but the sculpture brought it to life for me.

@ Jan – thank you so much. The sculpture just appeared as I looked for some inspiration … but that wait between the loss and the subsequent reunion – as you say … eternal and everlasting time together – the tears do fall …

@ Deborah – I’m afraid I probably go off at a tangent, rather more often than I should – but thanks for appreciating my take. I hadn’t seen the sculpture before … there’s a bit more history to it – that I probably need to write up …

@ Anabel – many thanks … the story flowed …

@ Sandie – I certainly - when I was writing it up – felt the emotion of what was occurring … just desperate … thank you …

@ Bazza - thank you so much - I did feel inspired writing it - and my ellipses never seem to leave me now. One whole comment with an ellipsis - but you may have an exclamation mark!! or two.

@ Janie - I agree the sculpture is extraordinary isn't it ... thank you for thinking I gave the sculpture a reason to be ...

@ Mary - I know you love sculpture - I'm glad you've seen this work ... yes in writing it I was brought to tears ...

@ Jo - many thanks ... war is awful and can conjure and bring out these desperate events ...

@ Liz - yes, very sad

@ Teresa - I'm sorry for your season of grief - it's not easy ... this piece reminded me of times past and brought out the story line. The sculpture gave the "grasping grief" a reason to kneel out and grasp.

@ Magic Love Crow - lovely to meet you and thank you for visiting and your very kind words.

So good of you all to visit and comment - reunions like this ... a time that will come to us all - cheers Hilary

Wow, Hilary, this is amazing. The sculpture brought to life. I love the way you emotionally deliver her to us, kneeling in the dust, so touching, so alone, but soon to be reunited. I'm so glad you've joined us at WEP.

I was inspired by the many Kiss sculptures and intended to write in response, but my 'old lady' story as I think of her pushed into my consciousness and bam, there it was.

Thanks for participating in WEP for August, Hilary. Judging by the comments, all of which I read, many others are glad you've branched out too!

@ Denise - thank you ... it was a story that was there waiting to be told - the sculpture brought it all to light. Really appreciate your thoughts.

Rodin's 'The Kiss' - was well known here in Sussex as for many years it was in Lewes, but cloaked out of sight most of the time from outraged populace. I gather now it is usually in the Tate but out on loan at the moment and is in New Zealand. Certainly the sculpture too would inspire many with a few story lines.

Pleasure participating ... whether stories like this will rise again I'm not sure ... but we'll see ...

So sad. The sculpture really moved me. I don't think many people think of the loss that a war brings. To them it's just a necessary evil. But they forget about the tons of lives lost, or voids left in the hearts of loved ones.

Grief ends when souls reunite. This is so beautifully told, Hilary! Thank you! That statue invokes feelings that are almost beyond expression, but you have done the impossible. A magnificent piece! Thank you!

@ Pat – sadly as you mention it is our only option that one day our reunion will come with our loved one. War is a dreadful thing for those who are left behind. I’m glad the sculpture brought the piece to life …

@ Murees – yes desperately sad for those who had to endure this kind of desperation … the kind that war brings. I was pleased to have found the sculpture …

@ Lee – it was quite difficult to write – but came together as War does tell its own story … the sculpture drew me in …

@ Yolanda – you’re right there grief ends when souls reunite. The sculpture is an extraordinary work of art that allowed the story to be told.

@ Sandra – thank you for your thoughts and for the comment – so glad the piece resonated with you …

@ Troutbirder – I’m so sad for you … 27 is a young age … desperate times for you and your wife, which I’m sure still haunt you both – my thoughts ….

@ Diedre – thank you – I’m sure many families go through this, as you describe it, ‘portrayal of life’: loss, life and then eternal reunion. I can’t imagine creating a sculpture like this one – extraordinary thought processes – it certainly inspired me.

@ Kelly – lovely to see you here … I appreciate your comment – those are the words I use for myself as I wrote this up …

Beautiful/sad/happy statue. What you've written about it is beautiful, Hilary. Indeed, this life is but a moment and a seeming tragic struggle for so many, which it is. But then there is the moment of "passing" and all the former sadness fades away. (Thanks for stopping by my new blog. Your gravatar is beautiful and most accessible. Cheers!)

@ Blogoratti - appreciate your thoughts - the sculpture definitely set the story line out ...

@ Baili - I hope it didn't upset you too much ... but appreciate that you were so involved in the story. Wars are dreadful aren't they - we don't seem to get anywhere by them ... that sculpture is staggering isn't it ...

@ Damyanti - yes so many will now be reunited, who were separated for so long. War just destroys - body and soul ...

@ Ann - good to see you here ... and I'm so pleased you enjoyed this story ... just so desperate for so many ... when the passing comes along - let's hope all will be reunited together in the end. Glad I got over to your new blog ...

@ Tara - thanks ... it's a difficult time losing a loved one so early in life ... thanks for the award ... I'll be over -

The way you framed the words around the picture is beautiful. The memories brought forth; the life that seeks a reunion with someone who has gone on before them. Wars always leave behind the pain and the aftermath of a soul that wanders until they meet again. Beautifully done.Shalom aleichem,Patricia

@ Laura - thank you so much ... I'm glad the sculpture brought the piece to an understanding at the end ...

@ Pat - the sculpture really did set the story for me. Losing a loved one so early in life must be just so difficult. Yes your phrase 'a soul that wanders until they meet again' at the end of a life, until a lived lives leave this earthy place to finally join them ...

@ Elsie - gosh - thanks Elsie. I'm glad the tale I wrote came to life for you ... through the bond and love I managed to reflect here ...

@ Christine - so pleased it resonated ...

@ Gary - many thanks ... I'm glad the sculpture was able to bring the tale to life ...

@ Rosey - as you say it must be one of the worst ways to lose someone close to you ... I'm glad I brought the sadness out in my post ...

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key!